View full sizeHeather Mitts from USA (left) battles for the ball with Melissa Wiil from Norway during the Beijing Olympics Women's soccer Group G match at Olympics Stadium in Qinhuangdao, China, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2008. Mitts has joined the Philadelphia Union's broadcast team this season.File photo

The Philadelphia Union announced that three-time Olympic gold medalist Heather Mitts will be serving as a pre game and sideline reporter for the Union's locally produced television broadcasts as well as a soccer ambassador for the club.

Mitts, who recently announced her retirement from the U.S. Women’s National Team and professional soccer, will begin her work on Saturday when the Union host the New England Revolution on The Comcast Network at 5 p.m.

“We are honored to have Heather join the Philadelphia Union family,” said Philadelphia Union CEO & Operating Partner Nick Sakiewicz in a press relase. “Her international experience as a player and deep knowledge of the game will be a great addition and continue to build on our goal of producing the most authentic and insightful TV and radio broadcast that we can. We are truly excited about this year’s broadcast team and feel that Heather is another tremendous addition.”

Mitts will also make guest appearances on the club’s weekly radio show “The 90th Minute” on Tuesday nights at 6 p.m. on Sports Radio 610 as well as represent the Union at various events in the community.

The 34-year-old Mitts retires after having played 137 times for the United States, good for 18th on the USA’s all-time caps list and sixth-best for a defender. She debuted for the USA back in February of 1999, wearing the U.S. jersey for the first time against Finland.

“I'm very excited about my involvement and position with the Philadelphia Union,” said Mitts. “I can't wait to be on the sidelines, reporting at the game this weekend against the New England Revolution and am eager to be an ambassador for the club as well. I really enjoy Nick Sakiewicz’s philosophy and together we look forward to helping the game grow here in the Philadelphia area.”

Mitts was a member of the USA’s 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympic gold medal teams as well as the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup Team. She played in nine career Olympic matches including a memorable performance in the 2008 gold medal game victory against Brazil. She scored two goals in her career, both game-winners.

For the USA, she started 104 of her 137 games and played in her last match on Dec. 15, 2012, against China in Boca Raton, Fla. The 5-foot-5 right back broke into the U.S. team full-time in 2004, played almost every game for the USA through 2008, aside from when she was out injured. She was a First-Team All-American at the University of Florida where she helped the Gators to an NCAA title in 1998. She ended her college career as Florida’s all-time leader in games played, games started and minutes.

Mitts, who played in both former professional leagues, for the Philadelphia Charge in the WUSA and the Boston Breakers, Philadelphia Independence and the Atlanta Beat in WPS, was allocated to the Boston Breakers for the new NWSL before deciding to retire.